There can be no question that the romance, if not mysticism, of opening a bottle of Bordeaux from a famous château has a grip and allure that are hard to resist. For years, writers have written glowing accounts of Bordeaux wines, sometimes giving them more respect and exalted status than they have deserved. How often has that fine bottle of Bordeaux from what was allegedly an excellent vintage turned out to be diluted, barely palatable, or even repugnant? How often has a wine from a famous château let you and your friends down when tasted? On the other hand, how often has a vintage written off by the critics provided some of your most enjoyable bottles of Bordeaux? And how often have you tasted a great Bordeaux wine, only to learn that the name of the château is uncelebrated?
This book is about just such matters. This is a book for those who drink Bordeaux; it is a wine consumer’s guide to Bordeaux. Who is making Bordeaux’s best and worst wines? What has a specific château’s track record been over the last 20–30 years? Which châteaux are overrated and overpriced and, of course, which are underrated and underpriced? These issues are discussed in detail.
